"They insisted that we take in a patient who hadn't been tested. They dealt first with my staff but then I had to step in as they weren't backing down.

"They told me that if i didn't take the patient that they would make it known to social workers that we were not open for business.

"It was a clear threat in my mind, but it didn't work.

"I refused to take the patient - the home was Covid-free at the time and I wasn't going to put the health of my staff and residents at risk."

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Robin Swann urged care home owners or staff to contact the Department of Health if they had experienced this

Health Minister Robin Swann said: "I want to reassure any home owner or staff member that if at any point they were threatened or felt threatened to take a patient or a resident into their home from a hospital they should let us know.

"If these are legitimate concerns that people have, I'll investigate them as part of my role, part of my responsibility as Minister of Health."